Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) will join the ranks of more than 260 U.S. universities and colleges belonging to a prestigious national honor society Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. when 28 students are initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta.

Students and their family members will join university faculty and staff to celebrate the achievement, a milestone resulting from a student-driven petition for permission to include IUPUC in the national organization.

To become members, the students had to meet high academic standards, said Vickie Welsh-Huston, the university’s ALD administrative advisor.
    
“Recognizing individual achievement is in keeping with IUPUC’s strategic plan, as is improving the success of first-year students,” Welsh-Huston explained.

“Our hope is that membership will not only have a positive impact on retention of freshman students, but will encourage them to graduate and complete their degrees in four years. Members can compete for scholarships and fellowships, which is a good financial aid opportunity,” she added.

Founded in 1924, ALD provides financial support for 35 undergraduates and 23 graduate students each year. The group also provides scholarships for ten students pursuing international study through study-abroad fellowships.

IUPUC’s 2013 initiates include:

• Chase K. Ackeret | Seymour
• Taylor L. Ashman | Edinburgh
• Emily Marie Bare | Greensburg
• Marianne Louise Branham | North Vernon
• Darby K. Funke | North Vernon
• Steven Dale Cain | Columbus
• Nola Ranae Doughty | Columbus
• John Lee Farace | Seymour
• Austin Sinclair Hicks | Columbus
• Patrick J. Hummer | Columbus
• Erica Lynn Kennedy | Franklin
• Dalton Edward Lancaster | Columbus
• Jordan G. Lewis | Martinsville
• Courtney Taylor Linville | Franklin
• Dana Michelle Martin | Greensburg
• Jordan McQueen | Hope
• Emily K. Pell | Franklin
• Cassandra Jean Pendleton | Edinburgh
• Courtney Nicole Piirto | North Vernon
• Ryan Andrew Oliver | Nashville
• Jodi Ritchie | North Vernon
• Kelly Lynn Schwering | Greensburg
• Kendra Jane Wagner | Columbus
• Jenna Waltz | Trafalgar
• Cassie Lee Warren | Shelbyville
• Trevor Dylan Whipker | Columbus
• Rebecca Williams | Saint Paul
• Taylor Yarling | Shelbyville

“This charter group is comprised of 15 new initiates and 13 students who were previously inducted into the chapter at IUPUI,” noted Dr. Marwan Wafa, IUPUC’s vice chancellor and dean. “Because IUPUC students petitioned ALD’s national headquarters, we were able to successfully establish a chapter in Columbus.”

The student officers at IUPUC are: Trevor Whipker (president), Cassandra Jean Pendleton (vice president), Kendra Wagner (secretary), and Courtney Linville (treasurer).

Ms. Lisa Ruch, director of academic affairs in the Honors College at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), is the installing officer. Ruch is vice president of chapter relations and expansion for the society’s national council.

Honorary initiates from among IUPUC faculty and staff include:

• Dr. Anna Carmon, chapter faculty advisor
• Dr. Gary Felsten, associate dean for academic affairs
• Dr. Sandra Miles, director of student affairs
• Dr. Marwan Wafa, vice chancellor and dean
• Ms. Vickie Welsh-Huston, chapter administrative advisor

For more information, contact Vickie Welsh-Huston at 812.348.7216.